A.I. NIMBYs

Maine state legislators are on the verge of approving a bill that would implement a temporary moratorium on new data center construction across the state until November 2027. The bill, which has received a "thumbs up" from lawmakers and is expected to pass within days, aims to prohibit further development of data centers. This legislative action in Maine reflects a growing national "populist tide" and backlash against data centers, with figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I–Vt.) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R–Mo.) voicing opposition. However, this opposition is described as "mostly incoherent" by the article, which cites arguments that data centers bring economic growth and high-paying jobs, and power artificial intelligence, a technology with broad utility. Tech companies and the local business community are opposing the Maine measure, with industry expert Glenn Adams warning that such bans could deter developers and investors, causing them to seek opportunities elsewhere. The article also highlights how anti-data center activists are leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT to organize their campaigns, as exemplified by an Ohio woman using the technology to fight a proposed data center near her home.